Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,432, Stephen Franklin, N.C. Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
n l
Franklin Stephen
S 15 4 3 2
va.
Carded
CONTENTS

25385
Kentucky
Stephen Franklin of Henderson in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com d commanded by Captain ... .. in the 28 th reg t commanded by Col. Cleveland in the ... .. line for 1 year and 7 m.
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 40 Dollars ... .. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Feb y 1834 and then I W White 16 R
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 100 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending March 20 00 $120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Doyne Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 9 Page 9

State of Kentucky Anderson Co. On this 27 th day of October 1833 personally appeared before me, Andrew McBrayer a justice of the Peace for Anderson County, State of Franklin a resident of the United States in the County of Anderson, State of Kentucky, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers viz: Col. O. Frank Taylor, Lieutenant, Garland Berkeley he entered the service under these officers some short time previous to the Battle of Kings Mountain Orange Co Virginia, say twelve months or there- abouts, but does not recollect the precise day or year. In this instance he was drafted, served six months under Col. Taylor, but was in no engagement & during that time marched from Orange Co to Albemarle where he aided in guarding Burgoyne's men at the Barracks near Charlottesville, Kentucky, Orange Co State of Virg: when he entered the service, subsequent to the Battle of Kings Mountain, previous to at the same Battle, he served, having been drafted the only previous to that Battle & served near two years, under Col. Ben. Cleveland & Capt. Sarkin Cleveland.

We John H Walker, a Clergyman and Residing in the County of Anderson State of Kentucky and John Ford - Residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Franklin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year Before said
J H Walker J G Ford
And the said Andrew McBrayer, Presiding Justice of the Peace for Anderson County, State of Kentucky, does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after settling the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and the Presiding Justice further that it appears to them that J. H. Walker of Anderson County & State of Ky: who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman - and that John Ford who has also signed

The same is a resident in the neighbourhood of county I state aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Andrew McBrayer J.P.
I Jordan H Walker, clerk of the Court of Andover county & state of Ky: do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Presiding Justice in the matter of the application of Stephen Franklin for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this
J. H. Walker. clk

No 18475
Stephen Franklin Anderson County Kentucky
for 4799 p rs 17 rs $40.
Can only allow from you
A. C. Johnson Ad
Anderson County Court
Hon: J. M. White,
R. R. & Kentucky
Lawrenceburg

BRIEF in the case of  Stephen Franklin  of Anderson County in the State of Kentucky-  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 or 71  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Drafted In 17 80 1 5 Private Col Cleveland Capt Clearman  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? on Wabawba River  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilks Co. N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Castor  Examining Clerk.

15432 INVALID.
File No. 15432
Stephen Franklin
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Kentucky & I Francis Long of the Anderson County } County, state before said do hereby certify that I have known Stephen Franklin for thirty odd years past, I have from time to time heard him iterate & reiterate his Revolutionary Services, that he entered the Service under Colo Francis Taylor and Lieutenant Col. Benj. (Garland), that he was at King's Mountain Orange County Virginia, mentioned the time he was in Service, but I do not recollect how long. Thirty years ago, I heard him state emphatic- =ally that he served two years under Colo. Benj: Cleveland & Capt: Sarkin Cleveland he stated to me then & since & to others in my presence that he was in two Battles under the aforesaid officers one at Catawba & the other, New River. He mentioned also his march thro North & South Carolina as parts of Virginia, that he was a spy in the Indian war, & also

heard other gentlemen of undoubted veracity who are now dead, state that Stephen Franklin was a spy in the above mentioned services & that the same gentlemen, above alluded to, spoke of his services under Colo. & Capt. Blencard, also his services under Lieut. Berley & Francis Taylor. That they were personally acquainted with his services in the Revolutionary war, under the above mentioned officers. I know Stephen Franklin to be a man of veracity and standing & confidently believe that he has performed all the services mentioned in his declaration. I am: Mansfield is one of the gentlemen mentioned, Wm Davis & Arthur Wilson also, each of them assured me of the above said Franklin. Rev: Services The deponent further states that Stephen Franklin is now perfectly helpless from an attack of Palsy & is in great need of pay for his services.

The said deponent says that his Re-sidence Services have never been doubted by any one whatever.
Known to 2 subscribers this 11 th day Nov: 1833. before the County Court of Anderson, now in session.
Andrew M c Brayer J.P. 46.
his Francis Long Mark.
State of Kentucky. Anderson County ss. I George H. Walker Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid. do Certify that Francis Long in open Court made Oath to the above instrument of writing, & that the above named Francis Long is the same Francis Long who hath sub- scribed & known to the same.
In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 13 th day of November 1833. & in the 43 rd Year of the Commonwealth.
G. H. Walker Clerk

State of Kentucky, } J. H. White M.D. of Anderson Anderson County } County & State of Ky: do hereby certify that I believe Mr. S. Franklin to be a man of undoubted veracity & justly entitled to a pension from the traditional history of his services in the Revolutionary war I have never heard them doubted by any one, he is now in a most deplorable condition, laboring under a serious & most dangerous attack of Palsy & none but an aged wife around him to administer to his wants & comforts. I have seen him twice or thrice in that condition & have conversed with aged & highly respectable men who have known him for 30 years & believe him to be a Revolutionary soldier sworn to & subscribed
This 12 th of Nov: 1833
J. H. White
Andrew M c Brayer J.P. S.C.
Francis Doyne of Franklin County Ky do hereby certify that I have known S. Franklin for 30 years & believe him to be a Revolutionary soldier sworn to & subscribed

Mr White of Hinrichs submits to to Mr Edwards the enclosed papers & requests an answer as soon as convenient to him
Feb 2nd 1874

For Mr. White of Florida

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink; will apply to the claim of Stephen Franklin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
2. 3.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Barnard Franklin

Wayne County Ky Sept 2 nd 1832
I do certify that I have known Stephen Franklin for at least forty years and I am witness that he served a tour of duty at the Mouth of Kentucky River as a spy under Capt Rhoad Thompson and Bartlett Collins
Benjamin Robinson
I Stephen Franklin do testify that I served one month at Simms and officers names not recd.

Thomson, Certificate for Franklin

Scott county Ky 27 of Sep r 1832
I do certify that I was ordered (as a Captain (by Genl. Scott to command a company as a guard at the Mouth of the Kentucky River in April 1791 to serve Two Months or till we should be discharged; and we did not get Relieved till some time in July following; I also state that Stephen Franklin (now of Anderson County) Served under me as a Souldier, the Whole of that time; given under my hand this 27 of September 1832
Isaac Thomson

Anderson County } Personally State of Kentucky } appeared before me John Gordon a justice of the Peace Burnt Sellers who being duly sworn deponeth & saith that he has been acquainted with Stephen Franklin for seven years, that he is a man of undoubted veracity, as much so as any man in Kentucky, & highly respected in his neighbourhood not only as a man but in consequence of his Revolutionary services, of which sd: deponent has no doubt from the history that sd: Franklin has given him of them from time to time during my acquaintance with him, & also from the account that sd: deponent farther has given of his services,

Who was a Revolutionary soldier himself personally acquainted with S d . Franklin & his services under Colo. Francis Taylor Lieut. Berley & also his services near Charlottesville Albemarle Co. Virg. in guarding Burgoyne's men at the Barracks. He stated to me often & to his neighbors generally that he entered the service under Colo. T. Taylor & Lieut. Berley, some time previous to the Battle at Kings Mountain Orange Co. Virg. that served something over 6 months in that town, or since he does not exactly recollect, he said that he lived in Orange Co. Virginia when he entered the service. He also stated that he did not know farther than he, S d Franklin served two years under Ben Cleveland, a Colonel & Capt. Larkin Cleveland two years.

Both stated to me after that S d Franklin was in two Battles, under the General's command at Catawba & the other at the head of New River; S d . respondent does not recollect a History of his marches but that he mentioned them, he is at least 72 years of his age if not older from appearance - I heard him stated it is not doubtful but that he was a Spy in the Indian war, he is now labouring under a disease that I take to be palsy, dangerously ill & almost helpless, no one but his wife, who is old to wait on him, older indeed than he is, he is my nearest neighbour, I know him well, I have not only heard my father, but many aged men & Revolutionary Soldiers speak of S d Franklin's services in the Revolutionary war he is now living in Anderson

Co Ky; he stated to me that he had a discharge that it was lost, he thinks, washed up in his pocket in going from North Carolina to Ky! further the deponent saith not
sworn to & subscribed before
this 21 st day Nov 1833
J. G. Jordan
Barnett Seevers
The above was sworn to by Barnett Seevers This 21 st day of Nov. 1833 before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Henderson County
J. G. Jordan J. P.
Mr Seevers is a man of veracity and a man of truth. So far as my acquaintance extends he lives a near neighbor of Stephen Franklin given under my hand this date above
J. G. Jordan
State of Kentucky. Audubon County. To all
John H. Walker, Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid, do certify that John G. Jordan, is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and was such at the time of sign- ing the above Certificate, and that his signature is genuine, and that his said Certificate is true to all his official acts. And I further certify that Barnett Seevers who here signed the above Certificate, is a personally acquainted with, that he is an orderly member in the Baptist Church, & that I believe him a man of veracity and truth.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 28 th day of Nov. 1833 J. H. Walker. Clerk.